Samuel Wagan Watson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Wagan Watson
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|---|---|
| Born |
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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| Occupation | Poet |
| Parent(s) | Sam Watson (father) |
Samuel Wagan Watson is a modern Indigenous Australian poet. He writes poems that share his thoughts and experiences.
Contents
Early Life
Samuel Wagan Watson was born in Brisbane, Australia. His family has many different backgrounds. He is from the Aboriginal Munanjali and Birri Gubba peoples. He also has Irish, German, and Dutch family roots. His father, Sam Watson, was a writer and worked to help his community.
Samuel grew up in the Mt Gravatt area of Brisbane. When he was a child, he often went with his parents to events that supported Aboriginal rights. He loved rock music, especially bands like Janis Joplin and the Doobie Brothers. He even dreamed of becoming a rock musician himself.
Before becoming a writer, Samuel had many different jobs. He worked as a salesman and helped with films. He also worked as a law clerk for a special investigation into Aboriginal deaths in custody. Later, he moved back to Brisbane to focus on writing.
Becoming a Writer
Samuel first tried writing short stories. But some companies told him his writing had strong poetic parts. This inspired him to try writing poetry instead. His first poems were in a style called sonnets. Later, he started writing in a more open style called free verse. His poems are about everyday life and how the arrival of settlers affected Indigenous people.
Creative Projects
In the late 1990s, Samuel worked on a project for the Brisbane City Council. This project aimed to teach people about the Boondall Wetlands. He worked with other poets, historians, and artists. They wanted to show the history of the Wetlands, including its Indigenous past and the experiences of European settlers. In 2000, they released a CD called Blackfellas Whitefellas Wetlands. It featured the poems of Samuel and others.
In 2004, Samuel's poetry book Smoke Encrypted Whispers was turned into music. Twenty-three composers from Brisbane wrote short music pieces for his poems. A famous musician, Paul Dean, led this project. One special piece, "Die dunkle erde," mixed German and Aboriginal cultures. Samuel and musician William Barton performed it together.
Samuel also performed as a singer for the first time in 2007. This was at a festival in Newcastle. In 2008, he appeared at the Sydney Writers' Festival.
The Japanese Aeronautical Exploration Agency even asked Samuel to write short poems called haiku. These poems were meant to entertain Japanese astronauts on the International Space Station.
Samuel has also worked at a radio station in Brisbane, 98.9FM Murri Country. He helps with community projects and often speaks at events. He also guides young writers and artists.
Festivals and Residencies
Samuel has been part of many literary festivals, including:
- 2004: Brisbane Writers Festival
- 2014: Brisbane Writers Festival
- 2015: Adelaide Writers' Week
- 2015: International Poetry Festival of Medellín, Colombia (where he represented Australia)
He has also been an "artist-in-residence." This means he was invited to live and work in a place for a time to focus on his art.
- In 2005, he was the poet-in-residence for a TV show called Sunday Arts on ABC TV.
- In 2007, he was an artist-in-residence in Indonesia. His poems were translated for audiences there.
- He has also been a poet-in-residence in the Yarrabah community in North Queensland.
What Inspires Him
Samuel says his parents have greatly influenced his work. He also looks up to other artists and writers. These include musicians like Nick Cave and Tom Waits, and writers like Jack Kerouac and Charles Bukowski. Poet Robert Adamson has also inspired him.
Awards and Honors
Some of Samuel's poetry is part of the Eleanor Schonell Bridge in Brisbane. His words are carved into the walking path and embossed on the railing. Another Brisbane poet, Luke Beesley, also has work there.
Samuel has won several important awards:
- 1999: Queensland Premier's Literary Awards, David Unaipon Award for an Emerging Indigenous Writers for Of Muse, Meandering and Midnight
- 2005: New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards, Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry Book of the Year for Smoke Encrypted Whispers
- 2018: Patrick White Literary Award
About His Life
Samuel's aunt, Maureen Watson, was also a poet. She worked to help people affected by family violence.
Samuel once had a serious health issue called a brain haemorrhage. This made it hard for him to read his poems aloud. But after two years, he recovered and was able to perform again.
His Books
